Johnson paces U.S. women in Cont. Cup opener

The U.S. women's jumping team powered into the Continental Cup competition season Saturday in Austria with Alissa Johnson leading the team in two days of back-to-back competition.

BISCHOFSHOFEN, Austria — The U.S. women's jumping team powered into the Continental Cup competition season Saturday in Austria with Alissa Johnson leading the team in two days of back-to-back competition.
    "It's awesome to get this critical World Championship season under way with some solid results from the women jumpers," said USSA Nordic Program Director John Farra. "Hopefully the team will build on the momentum from these early competitions and have an exceptional season of success."
    Johnson jumped 68.5 and 70 meters for 248.4 points on the HS78 on Saturday to finish ninth in a field of 54 international competitors. Teammate Avery Ardovino was 16th, Abby Hughes was 32nd and Karin Friberg was 42nd. U.S. veterans Jessica Jerome and Lindsey Van opted to stay in Park City to continue training and will join the team in Europe this fall.
    Norway's Anette Sagen won with two 71 meter jumps for 260.8 points, followed closely by Izumi Yamada of Japan, who also had two 71 meter jumps for 260.3 points, in second. Slovenia's Maja Vtic was third.
    Sunday wrapped up the women's ski jumping competition with Johnson leading the team again in 15th with two 66.5-meter jumps for 233.2 points, followed by Ardovino in 17th, and Hughes in 36th on the 78-meter hill.
    Yamada won the Cup event with 75 and 70.5 meter jumps for 264.2 points. Germany's Jenna Mohr was second and Jaqueline Seifriedsberger of Austria in third.
    The team now moves on for more Continental Cup competition Sept. 12-14 in Lillehammer, Norway.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Continental Cup
Bischofshofen, Austria – Aug. 16-17, 2008

K65 – Aug. 16
1. Anette Sagen, Norway (71.0-71.0) 260.8 points
2. Izumi Yamada, Japan (71.0-71.0) 260.3
3. Maja Vtic, Slovenia (71.0-70.5) 258.1
4. Jaqueline Seifriedsberger, Austria (70.0-70.0) 256.0
5. Bigna Windmueller, Switzerland (69.0-71.0) 254.5
–
9. Alissa Johnson, Park City, UT (68.5-70.0) 248.4
16. Avery Ardovino, Park City, UT (67.5-69.0) 240.1
32. Abby Hughes, Park City, UT (64.5) 109.8
42. Karin Friberg, Roseville, MN (61.0) 97.4

K65 – Aug. 17
1. Izumi Yamada, Japan (75.0-70.5) 264.2
2. Jenna Mohr, Germany (72.0-71.0) 263.2
3. Jaqueline Seifriedsberger, Austria (71.5-69.5) 261.4
4. Magdalena Schnurr, Germany (72.0-71.0) 261.2
5. Ulrike Graessler, Germany (70.0-72.5) 255.0
–
15. Alissa Johnson, Park City, UT (66.5-66.5) 233.2
17. Avery Ardovino, Park City, UT (65.0-67.5) 230.5
36. Abby Hughes, Park City, UT (63.5) 104.9